Alexa, a Books for Keeps supporter (and virtual friend) suggested we (record? tape? what’s it called these days?) some of the “dramatic” readings from the kickoff party and put them on YouTube. What a great idea! I’m on it Alexa; I don’t have the equipment but I’ve put the word out. So many of you outside the state of Georgia have been supporting Books for Keeps since before it had a name. I wish you could all fly to Athens and we’d finally meet in person after all these months… all these emails… all these BOOKS! Here’s hoping we can make the video happen. MelaneyPS: 4,000 books!

Earth Fare has joined the book drive as a drop off location! What a great location, right in the heart of Five Points. In today’s world of near-constant multi-tasking, isn’t it great that you can drop off your books and buy your groceries with a single stop? Thank you, Lauren and Earth Fare!

Today I took the day off. No book drive prep. No book sorting. Yesterday was a different story. I sorted 6 or 7 large boxes of books… only to get 9 more from friends over the weekend.Soooo… I have no idea what the inventory count is! I usually keep a rough count as books come in but when they come in this fast, I get behind. Clearly a different system is needed. Regardless, I’ll get a “real” count when I finish all the sorting and get to boxing the books for storage. As for the book drive: the bins are painted, a volunteer is finalizing the signs for the bins (thanks Emily!), and Marcus from UGA’s Volunteer Management Class is rallying the bin monitors (thanks Marcus & volunteers!) This is really happening! I pinched myself just to make sure.

I’m making changes to the middle school wish list after meeting with a local media specialist who’s familiar with what kids in our area are into reading these days. She tells me if I collected nothing else, most of the students would be thrilled with books from the Bluford Series from Townsend Press. I can’t believe they’re only $1. I pay $.75 at some thrift stores for used books!She says the kids also love books by Jacqueline Woodson, and graphic novels, especially the Bone series by Jeff Smith, and the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. Things I’m removing: the “stallion” books by Walter or Terri Farley, and CS Lewis books. I have lots and lots of both but they aren’t on the “hot list” these days, so I don’t need to actively look for more.Thanks for your help Shawn!

Wow. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore here in Athens is joining our book drive! For the month of October, the children’s books collected will be given to Books for Keeps. I’m floored.Would you believe… the woman organizing the ReStore event is the former 2nd grade teacher who helped me start Books for Keeps that very first year, when we were calling it a Summer Satchel? Thank you, Kim!So here’s the thing: you can take books for Books for Keeps AND all your other unwanted household items to ReStore, get rid of them, AND get a tax receipt… all at the same time! (Do some shopping while you’re there too; you wouldn’t believe the lamps I got for $15!)Thank you, Habitat for Humanity!Following is an announcement I’m passing along from Habitat:In recognition of World Habitat Day 2010, the Athens Habitat ReStore will hold a Donation Drive from 9am – 5pm on October 4th. The ReStore offers the community an active venue for reusing and recycling building materials, home furnishings, clothes, books, and other materials that would otherwise be thrown away. During the month of October, the Habitat ReStore will also partner with the Books for Keeps program to collect new and gently used books to give to children who might otherwise not have their own books. Donations to the ReStore are tax deductible and all profits from sales stay in the community to support Habitat’s continuing effort to eliminate poverty housing. The Athens World Habitat Day celebration will end with a benefit party at Hendershot’s, located at 1560 Oglethorpe Avenue in Athens, from 7 – 10pm. The event will feature a band and a raffle. It’s free and open to [...]

Erin over at Mommy Octopus is sharing news about our book drive with her blog readers. Every bit of publicity helps, and I’m grateful.I took a look at her blog, and was blown away by the money-saving tips she posts. She feeds a family of 5 on $50 a month (?!) and shares her tips online. Check out her blog if you want to learn how to cut your grocery bill. I’m thinking…. cutting my grocery bill = more $$ to buy books for kids!Thanks Erin, for helping us spread the word!Mommy Octopus BlogMommy Octopus Facebook Page

Books for Keeps is having an Athens book drive kickoff party, thanks to Shayne from Whatever It Takes. You’re invited!Shayne has lined up some fun friends to do dramatic readings – think William Shatner style – from their favorite children’s books. I hope you’ll join us if you’re in the area. Thank you Shayne, and Whatever It Takes, for handling all the book drive promotion responsibilities while I focus on the nuts and bolts of collecting what I hope will be mountains of books.Tuesday October 5th5:00-8:00PMHendershots Coffee Bar1560 Oglethorpe Avenue

It’s time for another look at the true barometer for how we’re doing: the rug in my foyer. Here’s how it looked when I left for Atlanta.Here’s how it looks now.Here’s the side view…A special thanks to Donna in Marietta, her church members, and her friends at Foster Care Support Foundation. Much to tell you about what they’ve done, but it’ll have to wait. I’m off to meet the guys from the UGA Volunteer Management class. VERY hopeful there’s relief in sight. More later!

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PRIVACY and TERMS OF USEBooks for Keeps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Athens, Georgia, serving schools in Athens, Atlanta, and beyond.Contact us via post at P.O. Box 49761, Athens, GA 30604, by phone at (706) 410-1912, or via email at info@booksforkeeps.org